A new chapter on Stage: Rediscovering ‘Joseph the Dreamer’

A story of betrayal, hardship, forgiveness and unwavering faith returns to the stage as Joseph the Dreamer welcomes a new generation of theatergoers. In its latest run, performers Neo Rivera and Iya Villanueva take on the roles of Joseph and Asenath, bringing their own experiences and interpretations to the beloved musical.

First staged by Trumpets in 1989, Joseph the Dreamer retells the biblical story of Joseph through music, dance and storytelling. In their guest appearance on DAILY TRIBUNE’s Pairfect, Rivera and Villanueva shared how their journeys with the production have shaped their performances and what audiences can expect from the latest staging.

For Rivera, playing Joseph marks another milestone in a journey that began when he joined the production as Judah and Joseph’s understudy. Although he did not get to perform the lead role during that run, the experience taught him an important lesson: there are no small roles in theater.

“It’s not just Neo as a performer, this is Neo as a storyteller,” he said, explaining how every role contributes to the story being told onstage.

When he was eventually offered Joseph for the new run, Rivera admitted that his initial reaction was disbelief. But stepping into the character also gave him an opportunity to explore a story that resonates with his own experiences, particularly the uncertainties of pursuing a career in the performing arts.

He sees a connection between Joseph’s journey through rejection, enslavement, and imprisonment and the challenges performers face in their careers. Like the biblical character, Rivera has experienced moments of questioning his abilities and wondering whether he belongs in the industry. What keeps him going, he said, is holding on to his faith and recognizing the privilege of being able to perform.

Villanueva, meanwhile, moves from the ensemble to the role of Asenath, Joseph’s wife and the story’s narrator. After joining the production for its previous run, she found herself drawn to Asenath’s songs and the opportunity to tell Joseph’s story from a different perspective.

Rather than simply waiting for the opportunity, Villanueva asked to audition for the role. For her, Asenath represents the importance of storytellers who bring another person’s journey to an audience. She believes that heroes are not the only important figures in a story; there are also people who help tell their experiences and make them understood.

The two performers already had a working relationship from previous productions, which helped establish their chemistry. Without a formal chemistry test, they relied on their familiarity and comfort with each other as they prepared for their roles.

Their latest interpretations also come with new discoveries. Rivera said he now sees Joseph as a more layered character, whose actions and relationships carry intentions beyond being a favored child who later suffers. Villanueva, on the other hand, has developed a deeper appreciation of Joseph’s struggles, particularly the level of trust in God required during his lowest moments.

Both performers hope audiences take home something deeper from the production. For Rivera, the story is ultimately about faith, love, and vulnerability. Villanueva hopes viewers leave believing that even through difficult seasons, there is a plan beyond what they can see.

As Joseph the Dreamer returns to the stage, Rivera and Villanueva bring more than new performances to familiar roles. Through their own experiences, they continue to discover the layers of a story that reminds audiences to hold on to faith, even when the path ahead is uncertain.